An Exciting Announcement: I Am Writing a Book (With Some Tyndale Momentum Behind Me)
My mother got a new Bible sometime in the 1970s. It had a dark-green cover with gold words: “The Living Bible, Paraphrased.” On the spine of that Bible, in shiny letters, I remember reading this word: Tyndale.
Mom carried that Bible to Women’s Circle and retreats — and to the United Methodist Church, with its wooden railing and cavernous sanctuary where I worshipped every Sunday as a child. All these years later, I know exactly where to find that one work-worn Bible: at my mom’s bedside.
That Tyndale Bible was Mom’s Bible in the years when I went to kindergarten, learned to ride a bike without training wheels, got my braces, went to Prom, wrote my first news story, got married, and had our first baby. It is still my mother’s Bible, in this year — 2012 — when a Christian publisher took a chance on her daughter, this first-time author.
Oh friends, I’m so excited to tell you this:
This week, I accepted an offer to publish my first book with that very publisher, whose name has graced my mother’s Bible for nearly 40 years: Tyndale.
Yes, I’m about ready to jump with both feet into my own “I’ll Never.”
And isn’t that where we often find God, stepping right into the middle of the place where we humans say we can’t or we won’t?
I’m writing a book.
Because of God.
And for God.
At age 18, I turned away from God.
At age 25, I didn’t think I believed in Him anymore.
And at age 40, this sinner saved by grace is writing a book for Him.
That is just so God.
Check out this video about Tyndale Momentum, with whom I’ve accepted an offer for my first book, which is Christian nonfiction. I’m so thrilled, and grateful, and nervous, and giddy … and all kinds of emotions.
Watch this video, and you’ll see why I am thrilled to work with Tyndale. (Subscribers, you may need to hop over to the blog to see the video by clicking here.)
For we have not received the gifts of God for ourselves only, or for to hide them; but for to bestow them unto the honoring of God and Christ and edifying of the congregation, which is the body of Christ.”
— From William Tyndale’s prologue to the first printed English New Testament (1525)
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I’m celebrating with you, Jennifer! So happy to rejoice with you! Write on, girlfriend! Write on!
Thank you, Deidra. You’ve been an amazing encourager. Love you, friend.
Grateful, thrilled, and giddy for you but nervous? Nope, you’ve got this one. Easy.
Amy, It’s been fun to be walking down this publishing road with you. Excited to see what is ahead for you, too, my friend. xo
So excited for you!! God is so good!
Thank you, Deidra. I’m so grateful to be on this writing journey with you, friend. You bless me so.
Yay!!! What exciting news! Just had a hot chocolate chip cookie to celebrate!
Oh perfect! I love chocolate. Wish I could share one with you. Thank you for your friendship, kd. ((HUGS))
congrats! there’s no feeling like getting that acceptance for that first book! can you reveal what it’s about?
I am so excited, Leanne… I have no idea what to compare the feeling to. My agent describes it as a roller-coaster, quite often. I’ll share more details later, but it’s Christian nonfiction, about the sorts of things we often address here at Getting Down With Jesus. And it’s all about His great, expansive, unfathomable love for u.s
Then it is going to be worthy of my dollars and my time! Wishing you all the very, very best in this endevour. Isn’t He good!
I sure hope so, Lynda … OH God-willing it will be something worthwhile for people. I hope it is worth every penny out of a wallet, every second from a clock. I so appreciate your blessing here.
It is so thrilling to read this good news. I am so happy for you. You are deserving of this. Hopefully the process and product will glorify the Father and make Him known. Love you and your gifted writing.
Thank you, Linda. Can’t wait to see you again. You bless me so. …. xo
I am thrilled for you! :o) You deserve it.
Thank you, Nikole. Pray for me? And too, for the readers. That we would all fix the eyes on Christ.
Oh what joy. I am so pleased and proud and overflowing with great expectation for this project.
Wow. Can not wait to follow your journey.
Thank you, Elizabeth. I really appreciate you. Pray John 3:30 for me?
Congratulations! So excited for you.
Thank you, Sandra. Would pray that these eyes stay ever fixed on Jesus? Thank you, friend.
Oh Jennifer, what a journey you are on. You are a God example to those of us who get stuck, not on the side of the road, but right in the middle. Right where we swore to God we would Never be!!!! miss ya sister!!
This comments makes me cry (in a good way). I’m so NOT complete, and rarely feel like an example. I AM this: I am on a journey, right in the middle, right on the side of the road, right there with you, sister … just clinging to Jesus. Let’s sit at the foot of the cross together, friend.
Happy dance!!! Looking forward to reading it.
Oh, thank you Connie. It’s been fun to be on this writing journey with you. God’s light shines through you.
Yay, Yay, Yay! : )
Love, love, love you, Karla. ((HUGS))
Oh Sweet Jennifer, I am soooooo excited for you!!!! Congratulations and praise be to God for putting the desire to write (a book!) in your heart and then fulfilling the desire that He gave you! I am so thrilled for you!! And just think how not so very long ago it seemed to you that perhaps this would not transpire! Only God! I literally just mailed my book to you today, and I wrote inside the cover that I knew your book was going to be published and that I couldn’t wait. Admittedly, I didn’t think that I would read this good news today :-), but with God all things are possible! I haven’t known you or your work very long, but I think I can safely say that you are one of the best new authors (or old for that matter!) whose work I’ve ever read, and you haven’t even written a book yet. But boy can you write! Your words are filled with God’s truth and grace, poetry and profundity, humility and humor…and humanity. You share from your heart and with such beauty,transparency, and depth (that getting down with Jesus!) Please let us know how we may pray as the book develops and, of course, when we can get it! Can’t wait to know the title and topic. May God grant you wisdom to write His message, which He will uniquely share through your own personality and writing style, and may He give you grace each day as you sit at the keyboard waiting on Him. When I write, I give God my loaves and fishes of words and ask Him to multiply them to feed others. I know He will do this for you! May I just close prayerfully and solemnly by shouting YIPPEE!!!!!!!
It is so good to hear from you, Lynn, to have your words in this place. You’ve *been* there, writer-friend. Thank you, Lynn, for your support and encouragement. I’ll offer more details later, but in short, the book will definitely address God’s deep and abiding love for us — even when we think we’re not enough. I appreciate you, dear-heart.
And I very much appreciate *your* kind words! Thank you. You know….in a way, it’s not fair to ask exactly what the book is about, especially at this neophyte stage. I think you will find that God gives you insights you didn’t even know you were thinking. Let it be the book HE births in you. He’ll shape your writing and take you where you need to go. And you know, we’re not enough, but HE is. Its’ all of Him! Praying for you, Jennifer! I love your humble spirit.
Truly you are blessed to be a blessing … I’ll be eagerly waiting.
I will purchase one … how exciting.
You are a gem, Sharon O. God bless you, dear sister in Christ. xo
What thrilling news! And as my friends know, when there is thrilling news, I do the happy dance. . .dancing for you;)
I love to dance, Kristin. Can we play some 80s music? 🙂
Oh. My. Goodness.
I am being flooded. By joyous tears! Oh. My.
Oh. My. Oh. My.
Jennifer, this is such exciting news!!
Wait. More flooding!
oh. My. Oh. My.
God is GOOD.
Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All weepy and flooding with you. Thanks for taking an early look, Sheila, at some very early and rough chapters. It meant so much. I have a long way to go … (((LOVE YOU)))
So, SO, SOOOOO excited for you, Jennifer!!! Here’s to all those “nevers.” Your work will bless the world. Thank you for honoring what was on your heart!!!
I am absolutely thrilled for you. He has given you so much – talent, insight, compassion -and now He is giving you opportunity to share and continue His work. So exciting, and yet it must be humbling. Blessings.
So, so happy for you! Come visit when you do a book signing at our side of the state! (I like to plan ahead) 😉
I don’t have anything to say I haven’t already said. I still mean all of it. 🙂
But I didn’t want to miss this comment box.
Love you. 🙂
Jennifer–hip, hip, hooray, and==
How can we pray?
oh, and what kind of chocolate do you like?
🙂
Happy dancing in Colorado! 🙂 Can’t wait to read it. I knew you would get a YES!
PS You are one of my favorite online writers.
Wonderful news!
I have one of those Bibles! No, I have two. The first one I bought for myself (I had my grandmother’s King James) and now I have my MIL’s, too.
I’m shedding tears of joy here, friend.
what wonderful.wonderful. news! so exciting!
I’m relatively new to your blog, but I am celebrating like an old friend. Congratulations and prayers for the journey, my fellow farm wife and believer.
As a writer myself, I am so very excited and thrilled for you!!! I have jumped into the joy of writing a Christian nonfiction book myself (as God calls me to – I’m not sure on details other than the topic) – but I am so excited for you!!!!! May God use your book to do many things for His glory!!!!! xoxoxxoxo
So thrilled for you !!!!!!!!
Strength and peace as you continue this journey.
xoox
Congrats! We are now Tyndale kindred! 🙂
Yay! Thank you Sarah Mae. God bless you on your amazing writing journey. You’re a great communicator. I love the cover of your new book.
Whoop!! Whoop!!! My Mom had that Bible. You describe it wonderfully. Oh wonderful grace…
Yay!Can’t wait to read it! I know you will bless many through this book.
How this makes my heart pop a button or two with pure happiness!
To God be the glory, great things He alone has done!
Bowed low with you, beautiful friend…
All’s grace,
Ann
I don’t have enough words, or enough space in this comment box, to thank you for the ways you’ve encouraged and supported and prayed. I love you, sweet Ann.
Oh how absolutely wonderful for you and us! We get to read it! Couldn’t be happier for you.
Well, it is about time you write that book, Jennifer. 🙂 Congratulations!
I have my Moms green Bible, plus sister Violets black one. Aren’t we blessed to have messages from those we love? Your Mom is using hers, is the difference. I feel their presence when I read from theirs. Can’t wait to hold yours and think of you and our friendship/”Framily” walk.
So excited for you friend! Can’t wait to read what God places on your heart! 🙂
Julie
How exciting, Jennifer!!
::snoopy dancin’ for ya::
Let’s boogie!!
I love to dance. I’ll do the electric slide here. (You make me smile.) 🙂
So when you become a famous author I can say “I knew you when” way back in little old Marathon, Iowa 🙂 CANNOT WAIT to read it!! So happy for you!
So, so very happy for you. When did we last talk? And it wasn’t a done deal then, and now it is. Hooray!
Any chance they’ll use that picture of you feeding the cow as your author photo? (just kidding)
Jennifer,
God has given you the desire of your heart! What an incredible blessing. I can’t wait for your book to come out in print! Will pray for you along the way.
Thrilled to hear this news, Jennifer!
Now you enter into the “I’ll never,” in earnest, I imagine.
He is with you every step along the way.
Much to rejoice in!
Tyndale’s not the only one behind you, miss JDL.
Just you remember that…
Yes … Don’t let me forget, Darlene. When I worry or fret, will you remind me about Jesus? I need friends who keep pointing to Him. … Thank you friend.
Crying happy tears Jennifer. I am so happy and delighted and thrilled!!! I cannot wait to hold it in my hands. I am praying for you – always.
And only a mother can say this or maybe a sibling…I had the gut feeling that someday Jennifer Dukes Lee would write a book..about the thing she loves the most…her Love for Jesus himself…Of course we are all exicited and KNOW that the right words will be given you as complete this journey. I did see the Tinsdale video and just observing those people there;assures me that they are God Loving People..May all of us be blessed through this writing..
Jennifer…so thrilled for you. We were buddies back in your first blogging days and I’ve been amazed to see your writing grow. Blessings to you
It’s amazing how our writing grows. I guess at the rate of 2,000-3,000 words per week, I should be getting better. 🙂
VERY excited for you! Isn’t it wonderful when you can look at the journey God has taken you on and know that only He could have gifted you with the talents & worked the cosmos to bring you here. Amazing.
What a great fit for you. I am so, so excited for you and with you. I’ve embarked on a few “I’ll never’s” this last couple of years, and He is so faithful to give us exactly what we need at the very moment we need it. I’ll be praying for you all the way…Let me know how I can help in any way, okay? You know I’m one of your biggest fans! 🙂 Love and hugs, Jennifer. And the most sincere, happy congrats.
YAY Jennifer!! Congrats — can’t wait to read it!! Meanwhile, I’ll be praying. YOU GO, GIRL!!
Hugs from VA,
Susan
Happy Day, Jennifer! I am so very excited for you. Can’t wait to get my copy and I don’t even know what it is yet. But I DO already know it will be more of the same good stuff from your sweet heart.
Rooting you on from the sidelines (and the comment box). XO
Wow! Congrats!!! Loved this post!
You GO, girl. Many congratulations, good wishes, fond hopes and great expectations. LOVE to know what you’re writing about if you care to drop hints here and there… :>)
I am new to your blog, Jennifer. I must say that I love your insights and your words of encouragement. Congratulations! I can’t wait for the book.
Congrats, Jennifer! what a precious connection with your mom’s Tyndale Bible…sending you a big HUG…Hooray!
Oh my, I just got this news in my inbox, missed it when you posted it yesterday. Congratulations! Sure you are on cloud nine. So excited for you and for your words to reach the masses. I hope you will let us know how to pray for you along the way.
Shelly … I appreciate the offer to pray. Please pray John 3:30, and also that I will keep these eyes fixed on Jesus. Pray for the readers, and that in the end, (above all else) the book does these two things: Honors God; Helps people know the depth of Christ’s love for them.
Thank you friend.
YEAH..congrats…God can do amazing things…So glad you are living a life that lets God take you where He wants. Your love and heart for Him will encouage many. I have not been reading here long…but have been truly blessed since i found you. blessings~
Wow! That’s really wonderful–so exciting! Congratulations! What a tremendous blessing!!
Congratulations! I’m thrilled for you! What an honor and a blessing. I’ll look forward to reading it!
What an awesome thing!!! It will be the hardest, most rewarding thing you have ever done. Can’t wait to hear more!
You are such a sensitive, wonderful writer/ I love it!!! You’ve got one buyer for sure!
Oh, Jennifer, that is so exciting! Doing a happy dance with you! I can’t wait to read it! I know it will bless many hearts. Put me down to buy one and to use my blog as part of your blog tour. Woo-hoo!
That is so sweet of you, Lynn. I appreciate you so.
Well I’m super late to this party (but not really, as you know!), but wanted to shout out the official whoot!! here anyway. I am rejoicing with you, Jennifer. Truly.
Lots of love!
Jennifer, how very exciting! I can’t wait to read your book–I know it will be excellent! (And I’ll be honored to pray John 3:30 on your behalf.)
Just saw this news, Jennifer. Congrats! I SO wish we could have worked with you on this book, but I just know it’s working out according to the Lord’s plans.
Wow. This is so exiting! Been my dream for the last three years. Good to see someone who took the plunge.
Isn’t this just fabulous?! LOVE it! What a joy to pray for what God will do (and has already done) in and through you.
!!!!!!!
I knew about the book, of course, but not about this post. How cool to see that green Bible and know that all along, God was up to something. Of course, He always is, isn’t He? Love you!
Jennifer,
I am sooo excited for you. Your insight and encouragement is so fresh and beautiful.